A FASHION retailer was targeted by thieves who caused ‘absolute carnage’ only a week after the shop’s opening.

Around £1,000 worth of shoes, dresses and jumpers were snatched from Bows and Blossoms in Blackburn Road, Darwen, during opening hours.

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Co-owner Heidi Heaton, who runs the shop with her sister Susannah Longworth, said four women came in with three children.

Miss Heaton, 30, said when she went next door to her other business Wizards Den, the children ‘ran riot’ and knocked over a mannequin which distracted Mrs Longworth.

Once the mess was cleared up, the pair looked around to find the thieves had gone and noticed lots of empty hangers.

Miss Heaton said the incident had upset both her and her sister.

She said: “It took us a minute to realise what had happened.

“These women just came in and the kids just started running up and down with sticky lollipops all over the place. It was absolute carnage.

“It has taken us a year to get this business up and running and we have always wanted to open up a clothes shop together.

“We were in until about 3am sometimes getting everything set up and you just can’t afford to be hit with something like this when you’ve just got going.

“It has really upset us that people would actually do this.

“We were really excited about opening up and it has taken the shine off that.”

It comes after nearly 70 thefts and burglaries were recorded in Darwen in just over a month earlier this year.

Small businesses were the victims of most of the break-ins including Age UK and Card Factory in Market Street and Curry Palace in Railway Road.

Number 39 Hopstar Brewery Tap in Bridge Street has also been hit five times by thieves since April, having CCTV cameras and cash taken.

The incident at Bows and Blossoms was reported to the police.

Miss Heaton said: “I want to warn other shops to be on their guard because they really did a job on us and we had no idea it was going to happen.

“It’s a lot of money to lose. I don’t think people stop to consider that businesses have bills to pay sometimes.”

A police spokesman said: “It was reported to us that on Wednesday, December 7, three dresses and a pair of shoes were stolen by a group of girls that came into the shop.

“We are looking into this crime and making enquiries.

“No arrests have been made by officers.”